The Games Institute (GI) encompasses 9000sq ft, numerous enclosed labs, 50 student cubicles, 4 shared faculty offices, 2 administrative offices, an enclosed presentation space (30-person capacity), a large open-concept collaboration/event area (80-person capacity) as well as state-of-the-art, CFI-funded research infrastructure. The breadth of space sets us apart from other labs on campus as all these spaces mentioned below are modular and reconfigurable. For instance, our VR Storytelling Lab doubles as a podcast studio, and the Presentation Room has a track-system installed for motion capture. Most of the GI space is open concept, with a heavy emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, indigenization, and Green Office initiatives which encourages open conversation, sharing of knowledge, and welcoming divergent perspectives. The GI space is also certified for smudging ceremonies.
Facilities and Equipment
A key part of the GI’s facility are co-located research labs. GI researchers benefit from ongoing collaboration, exchange of knowledge and ideas as they take advantage of the co-located labs, and other research infrastructure. Access to all labs is centrally managed by GI Administrative Staff and is fully open to the entire membership of the Institute. A full list of the labs and their capabilities can be found below.
Our equipment is funded in large part through the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), which allows us to purchase state of the art equipment including:
- 3D printer facilities
- VR and AR headsets with eye tracking
- Biometric equipment and bio sensors
- Motion capture systems
- Multiple generations of game consoles from Play Station, Xbox, Nintendo, and the latest Steam Deck
- Multiple interactive touch screens and displays
- Multiple Microsoft Kinects
- High-powered gaming computers
- DSLR, GoPro, and 360 cameras
- High quality audio and video equipment
- Laser cuter
GI Work Spaces
The Collaboration Space
The Collaboration Space can hold up to 80 people and be re-configured into many different set-ups to fit the needs of the membership including events, meetings, symposiums, etc. This open-concept space is also designed with a heavy emphasis on indigenization which encourages open conversation, collaboration, sharing of knowledge, and welcoming divergent perspectives. The GI welcomes Indigenous smudging ceremonies and offers a green space with many plants to take advantage of the benefits of a biophilic design. In addition, the GI also offers many different types of tabletop and electronic games including some created by GI members for study and play.
Workspaces
The GI members enjoy both open-concept and enclosed workspaces to conduct their research, explore team collaborations, and expand their exposure to interdisciplinary research methodologies.
Shared Spaces
The GI members have access to a communal kitchen, gender neutral washrooms with a door frame measuring 30.5 inches | 77.5 cm and a commode on site for accessibility. Formal meeting spaces also benefit from highly sophisticated interactive technologies provided by Dr. Neil Randall’s StoryBoard Lab.
GI Research Labs
The space currently houses numerous CFI-funded labs from researchers based in the Faculties of Arts, Engineering, and Applied Health Sciences.